Electroplating rack

ABSTRACT

An electroplating rack includes a pair of uprights carrying pairs of transversely extending arms. Exposed, upwardly facing electrode surfaces are defined at spaced locations along each arm. Crossbars having exposed, downwardly facing electrode faces near opposite ends are removably carried on the pairs of arms with the faces engaging the surfaces. Hook-like article supports depend from the crossbars. The crossbars can be supported selectively at any of the electrode surface locations.

United States Patent [191 Palisin, Jr.

[ 1 Dec.2,1975

I ELECTROPLATING RACK [75] Inventor: Stephen P. Palisin, Jr., SouthEuclid, Ohio [73] Assignee: The Empire Plating Company,

Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: June 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 479,616

[52] U.S. Cl..... 204/297 W; 204/DIG. 7; 204/297 R [51] Int. Cl. C25D17/08 [58] Field of Search 204/297 R, 297 W, DIG. 7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 148,409 3/1874 Bush 204/297W 258,214 5/1882 Brinckmann... 204/297 W 2,196,663 4/1940 Isele 204/297W 2,523,973 9/1950 Snyder.... 204/297 W 3,176,850 4/1965 Rosner....211/117 3,607,707 9/1971 Chenevier 204/297 W OTHER PUBLICATIONS WesternElectric Tech. Dig. No. 19 by Brucato et al.,

pp. 17 and 18, July 1970.

Plating Rack Manual by Belke, pp. 29, 34, 35 and Plate 8, pub. by BelkeMfg. Co., Chicago, 1947.

Primary Examiner-F. C. Edmundson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watts,Hoffman, Fisher & Heinke Co.

[57] ABSTRACT An electroplating rack includes a pair of uprightscarrying pairs of transversely extending arms. Exposed,

upwardly facing electrode surfaces are defined at spaced locations alongeach arm. Crossbars having exposed, downwardly facing electrode facesnear opposite ends are removably carried on the pairs of arms with thefaces engaging the surfaces. Hook-like article supports depend from thecrossbars. The crossbars can be supported selectively at any of theelectrode surface locations.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 ELECTROPLATINGRACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to electroplating racks and more particularly to anovel and improved universal rack capable of efficiently supporting manydifferent types of parts in spaced relationship for electroplatmg.

2. Prior Art In modern automatic plating systems, a plurality of rackassemblies are used to support articles to be plated. The racks are hungon a bus bar positioned above tanks containing cleaning, plating andwashing solutions. A programmed drive system sequentially moves theracks along the busbar to prescribed stations over the tanks, lowers thebus bar to submerge the articles in the tank-carried solutions, andraises the bus bar to drain the solutions from the articles and racksbefore the racks are advanced to the next station.

The articles to be plated are used as cathodes of an electrolytic cell.The anode is formed from the metal to be plated. The electrolyte is ametal salt solution which presents ions of the plating metal to thecathode for deposition. As metal ions are depleted from the electrolyte,they are replenished by the anode.

The racks should be capable not only of securely holding a plurality ofarticles in properly spaced relationship, but should also provide a lowimpedence current 'path and make good electrical contact with thesupported articles. Only a minimum surface area of the articles shouldbe shielded from the electrolyte. The racks should be capable of holdinga maximum number of articles to accommodate high production volumes, andyet should be of sufficiently simple construction so that circulation ofthe electrolyte is not inhibited.

Ideally the. racks are formed from a minimum number of parts so they canbe economically manufactured. The racks should occupy a minimum ofstorage space. The racks should be adjustable to accommodate a widevariety of articles and no tools should be required to effect theadjustment.

Another consideration in the design of electroplating racks is the needto provide a simple method of varying the amount of electrical currentsupplied to the articles being plated. Articles having larger platingsurface areas need a larger current supply than do articles havingsmaller surface areas. Still another consideration is that the racksmust permit the expedient racking and unracking of articles.

A number of proposals have been made in the prior art to provideadjustable electroplating racks. Most of these proposals have failed tosatisfy one or more of the above-listed criteria. Adjustableelectroplating racks have typically been of relatively complex designpresenting a rather substantial number of interchangeable, removableparts which can be lost when not in use. Most known adjustable racks arecumbersome to adjust and are not really well adapted to properly supporta wide variety of parts.

A number of plating shops have found present-day adjustable racks sounattractive that much of their plating work is carried out withspecialized racks designed for use with only a limited group ofarticles. This approach presents serious problems in trying to store theracks between periods of use. A large plating shop typically hashundreds of expensive, specialized racks hung from the ceiling andlining the walls. If the racks are not carefully stored, the insulationwhich covers most of their electrically conductive structure can bedamaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoingand other drawbacks of the prior art by providing a highly versatile,easily adjustable, novel and improved electroplating rack capable ofsupporting a wide variety of articles.

A pair of substantially identical rigidly connected uprights haveelongated bodies which depend from hooks and carry vertically spacedpairs of arms. A plurality of exposed, upwardly facing electrodesurfaces are defined at spaced locations along each arm. A plurality ofcrossbars are removably carried by the arms. The crossbars have exposed,downwardly facing electrode faces near opposite ends which engageelectrode surfaces. Depending hooks carried on the crossbars supportarticles to be plated. The weight of the articles and the crossbarshelps to hold the crossbars in place on the arms and promotes goodelectrical contact between the contacting surfaces and faces.

A significant advantage of the improved rack is the ease with which itcan be restructured to receive different types of parts. A wide varietyof rack configurations can be constructed simply by repositioning thecrossbars and decreasing or increasing the number of crossbars which areused.

Another advantage is the ease with which the amount of current suppliedto the articles being plated can be regulated. Some of the crossbars areprovided with larger diameter electrically conductive hooks than areprovided on others of the crossbars. The larger diameter hooks are usedto suspend articles having large plating surface areas. The smallerdiameter hooks are used with articles having smaller plating areas. Thediameter of the hooks helps regulate the current supply to the articles.The versatility provided by having crossbars with different hookdiameters enablesthe same supporting rack to be used with parts havingsubstantially different plating surface areas.

Another advantage is the ease with which articles can be racked andunracked. In some instances it is desirable to rack articles while thecrossbars are disengaged from the arms. When this is done, the crossbarscan be loaded with parts at one location and then positioned on theracks at another location. Unracking can be easilyv achieved by removingthe crossbars and inverting them to drop the plated articles into areceptacle.

Still another advantage is the extreme simplicity of the racks. Theyinclude a bare minimum of components and yet provide a maximum ofversatility. When the crossbars are removed, the racks can be nested forstorage in a minimum of space.

As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion, it is a generalobject of the present invention to provide a novel and improvedelectroplating rack.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anelectroplating rack constructed in accordance with the presentinvention; and,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side-elevational view of one of the crossbars usedon the rack of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, anelectroplating rack is shown generally at 10. The rack has anelectrically conductive framework including a pair of uprights 12, 13and upper and lower tie bars 14, 15. A pair of hooks 16, 18, areprovided to support this framework from the bus bar of an automaticplating apparatus.

The uprights l2, 13 have elongated depending bodies 20, 22 which extendin parallel vertical relationship A plurality vertically spaced pairs ofarms 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 formed from electrically conductive metalare carried by the bodies 20, 22. The arms 24-34 each have a pair ofdistal end regions extending in opposite directions from the plane ofthe uprights l2, 14. Each distal end region of each of the arms 24-34 isprovided with two spaced notches 44. An electrically insulative plasticcoating 48 covers the described framework, excluding the hooks 16, 18,and including the arms 24-34 and the bodies 20, 22 except in the regionsof the notches 44 where exposed upwardly facing electrode surfaces 46are defined.

A plurality of crossbars 50 are carried by the arms 24-34. All thecrossbars 50 are of identical configuration. Referring to FIG. 2, thecrossbars 50 each include a central stem 52 formed from electricallyconductive metal. A pair of notches 54 is formed near opposite ends ofthe stem 52. A plurality of depending, electrically conductive hooks 56are carried at spaced locations along the stem 52. An electricallyinsulative plastic coating 58 covers the stem except in the regions ofthe notches 54 where exposed, downwardly facing electrode faces 60 aredefined.

The crossbars 50 are positioned on the arms 24-34 with the faces 60 inelectrically conductive engagement with the surfaces 46. When articlesare hung on the hooks 56, the weight of the articles together with theweight of the crossbars 50 helps hold the crossbars in place and helpsto maintain good electrical contact between the surfaces 46 and thefaces 60.

The crossbars 50 can be rearranged on the arms 24-34 as desired to mostefficiently support articles for a plating operation. In racking andunracking the articles, the crossbars can be removed from the arms.

The hooks 56 formed from electrically conductive wire. The hooks 56 onany one of the crossbars 50 are preferably of the same diameter, butthese-diameters may differ from crossbar to crossbar. A crossbar 50having hooks 56 of relatively large diameter is used to supply theincreased current required by large parts having large plating surfaceareas. A crossbar 50 having hooks 56 of smaller diameter is used withsmaller parts which require less current.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand numerous changes in the details of construction and the combinationand arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An electroplating rack comprising:

a. an electrically conductive framework including a pair of racksupporting hooks and a pair of rigidly connected uprights defining anelongated depending body;

b. each of said uprights centrally supporting a plurality of verticallyspaced pairs of electrically conductive arms, each of said arms havingend regions extending in opposite directions from its associated Iupright, the arms on one of said uprights being substantiallyhorizontally paired with the arms on the other of said uprights suchthat each of the arm end regions carried on said one upright has a corresponding arm end region on said other upright;

c. a plurality of spaced, upwardly facing electrode surfaces defined oneach of said end regions, the electrode surfaces on the arm end regionsof said one upright having corresponding electrode surfaces on saidcorresponding arm end regions on said other upright, whereby a certainnumber of pairs of corresponding electrode surfaces are defined;

d. a plurality of electrically conductive elongated crossbars removablycarried by said end regions;

e. each of said crossbars having a pair of downwardly facing electrodefaces located near opposite ends of said crossbars and extending intoelectrically conductive engagement with a pair of said correspondingelectrode surfaces, said crossbars being supported on said arms byvirtue of said faces engaging said surfaces;

f. said crossbars each including a plurality of article supportformations disposed at spaced intervals therealong; and,

g. an electrically insulative coating covering said bodies, said armsand said crossbars except within the regions of said surfaces, saidfaces, and said formations.

2. The rack of claim 1 wherein said end regions are notched at spacedlocations along their lengths to define said electrode surfaces, andsaid crossbars rest in said notches with said faces in engagement withsaid surfaces.

3. The rack of claim 2 wherein said article support formations dependfrom said crossbars and define hook-shaped end regions.

4. The rack of claim 1 wherein said article support formations arehook-shaped wires formed from electrically conductive metal.

5. The rack of claim 4 wherein the hook-shaped wires on any of one ofsaid crossbars have common diameters.

6. The rack of claim 5 wherein the hook-shaped wires on one of saidcrossbars have common diameters different from the common diameters ofthe hook-shaped wires on another of said crossbars.

7. The rack of claim 1 wherein the number of said crossbars is less thansaid certain number, whereby some of said corresponding electrodesurfaces are not engaged by said crossarms and remain exposed.

8. An electroplating rack comprising:

a. an electrically conductive framework including a pair of spaced,rigidly interconnected uprights each carrying a plurality of armsdefining pairs of arm portions which extend transversely of the plane ofsaid framework, each of said arm portions on one of said uprights beingsubstantially horizontally paired with a corresponding arm portion oneach other of said uprights, each of said arm portions having aplurality of upwardly facing electrode surfacesdefined at spacedlocations therealong, each 5 i 6 t f id electrode surfacesfon one f idarm electrode surfaces to support said crossbars on said tions beingpaired with a corresponding electrode arm P F f surface on itscorresponding arm portion, whereby i electrically msulatwe. coatmgcovermg P' a certain number of airs of C e 1 rights, said arms, and saidcrossbars except within P mg 6 the regions of said surfaces, said faces,and said trode surfaces are defined; hooks b. a plurality ofelectrically conductive crossbars re- 9. The rack of claim 8 whereinsaid arm portions and movably carried by said end regions, each of saidSaid crossbars are notched in the regions of said surcrossbars includinga plurality of depending hooks faces and sald Spaces to Provide matingconnections disposed at spaced intervals therealong forreceivtherebetween' ing and Supporting articles to be plated Said cross10. The rack of claim 8 wherein the number of said b h h crossbars isless than said certain number, whereby ms g a of dQWnWard'IY ficmg elec'some of said corresponding electrode surfaces are not trode facesresting on and m electrically conducengaged b id crossarms and remainexposed.

tive engagement with a pair of said corresponding

1. AN ELECTROPLANTING RACK COMPRISING: A. AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVEFRAMEWORK INCLUDING A PAIR OF RACK SUPPORTING HOOKS AND A PAIR OFRIGIDLY CONNECTED UPRIGHTS DEFINING AN ELONGATED DEPENDING BODY; B. EACHOF SAID UPRIGHTS CENTRALLY SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACEDPAIRS OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ARMS, EACH OS SAID ARNS HAVING ENDREGIONS EXTENDING IN OPPSITE DIRECTIONS FROM ITS ASSOCIATED UPRIGHT, THEARMS ON ONE OF SAID UPRIGHTS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY PAIREDWITH THE ARMS ON THE OTHER OF SAID UPRIGHTS SUCH THAT EACH OF THE ARMEND REGIONS CARRIED ON SAID ONE UPRIGHT HAS A CORRESPONDING ARM ENDREGION ON SAID OTHER UPRIGHT; C. A PLURALITY OF SPACED, UPWARDLY FACINGELECTRODE SURFACES DEFINED ON EACH OF SAID END REGIONS, THE ELECTRODESSURFACES ON THE ARM END REGIONS OF SAID ONE UPRIGHT HAVING CORRESPONDINGELECTRODE SURFACES ON SAID CORRESPONDING AROM END REGIONS ON SAID OTHERUPRIGHT, WHEREBY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PAIRS OF CORRESPONDING ELECTRODESURFACES ARE DEFINED; D. A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVEELONGATED CROSSBARS REMOVABLE CARRIED BY SAID END REGIONS;
 2. The rackof claim 1 wherein said end regions are notched at spaced locationsalong their lengths to define said electrode surfaces, and saidcrossbars rest in said notches with said faces in engagement with saidsurfaces.
 3. The rack of claim 2 wherein said article support formationsdepend from said crossbars and define hook-shaped end regions.
 4. Therack of claim 1 wherein said article support formations are hook-shapedwires formed from electrically conductive metal.
 5. The rack of claim 4wherein the hook-shaped wires on any of one of said crossbars havecommon diameters.
 6. The rack of claim 5 wherein the hook-shaped wireson one of said crossbars have common diameters different from the commondiameters of the hook-shaped wires on another of said crossbars.
 7. Therack of claim 1 wherein the number of said crossbars is less than saidcertain number, whereby some of said corresponding electrode surfacesare not engaged by said crossarms and remain exposed.
 8. Anelectroplating rack comprising: a. an electrically conductive frameworkincluding a pair of spaced, rigidly interconnected uprights eachcarrying a plurality of arms defining pairs of arm portions which extendtransversely of the plane of said framework, each of said arm portionson one of said uprights being substantially horizontally paired with acorresponding arm portion on each other of said uprights, each of saidarm portions having a plurality of upwardly facing electrode surfacesdefined at spaced locations therealong, each of said electrode surfaceson one of said arm portions being paired with a corresponding electrodesurface on its corresponding arm portion, whereby a certain number ofpairs of corresponding electrode surfaces are defined; b. a plurality ofelectrically conductive crossbars removably carried by said end regions,each of said crossbars including a plurality of depending hooks disposedat spaced intervals therealong for receiving and supporting articles tobe plated, said crossbars each having a pair of downwardly facingelectrode faces resting on and in electrically conductive engagementwith a pair of said corresponding electrode surfaces to support saidcrossbars on said arm portions; and, c. an electrically insulativecoating covering said uprights, said arms, and said crossbars exceptwithin the regions of said surfaces, said faces, and said hooks.
 9. Therack of claim 8 wherein said arm portions and said crossbars are notchedin the regions of said surfaces and said spaces to provide matingconnections therebetween.
 10. The rack of claim 8 wherein the number ofsaid crossbars is less than said certain number, whereby some of saidcorresponding electrode surfaces are not engaged by said crossarms andremain exposed.